Rental Assistance Tools

The  agencies listed below all have their own requirements and funding guidelines.  Please contact the agency directly to see if you qualify for assistance or if they currently are providing assistance.   If you are a candidate for assistance, the agency you are applying to will give you instructions on the forms that you will need to provide us to fill out on your behalf.  

  • The Columbia Salvation Army is always one of the first places you should call for emergency financial assistance, shelter, and other support. They can offer financial assistance to low income individuals and families who are dealing with financial struggles. Volunteers or case workers can work with people to also ensure a solution is found over the long term to their housing crisis.
    • Phone 803-765-0260
    • 2025 Main Street, Columbia, SC 29201
  • God’s Helping Hands may offer services for qualified residents in Cayce and West Columbia. They offer rental assistance, lodging, utility help, and more. A DSS referral is required for return visits to this non-profit.
    • Phone 803-791-4167
    • 919 Holland Avenue, Cayce, SC 29033
  • Family Services Center, Inc. offers multiple programs and will require consultation via phone to see if they are able to assist you
    • Phone 803-733-5450
    • 1800 Main Street, Columbia, SC 29201
  • Catholic Charities of the Midlands is a faith based agency that helps the homeless, single mothers, veterans, and others. Rent, food, furniture for a new home or apartment, and other financial aid may be offered.
    • Phone 803-254-9776
    • 1427 Pickens St, Columbia, SC 29201
  • Christian Assistance Bridge Applicants for rent or housing assistance need to have a Social Security card, meet income limits and picture I.D.. Any type of help is limited whether shelter, utilities, moving assistance,or loans for rent.
    • Phone 803-786-1903
    • 126 Blythewood Road, Blythewood, SC 29016
  • The Society of St. Vincent de Paul Financial assistance for paying rent and housing can be applied for over the phone. Funds are very limited and can help prevent evictions. In some cases a forgivable loan may be issued for housing or rental assistance. You may receive a message indicating the availability of funds.
    • Phone 803-799-0761
      • Thursdays from 5:00 – 6: 00 PM
  • Rapid Rehousing and Eviction Prevention Services using federal grants to help tenants in Richland County. Funds may be used to provide motel vouchers, pay back rent, or security deposits. The homeless prevention programs also combines legal aid and case management, along with emergency rental assistance, to help working poor families.
    • Phone 202-708-1112
    • HUD.GOV/RECOVERY
  • Pilgrim’s Inn offers emergency rental assistance, including loans, as part of the Homeless Prevention and Re-Housing Program. Other programs include transitional or low income housing, utility bill assistance, motel vouchers, and one time grants for back rent.
    • Phone 803-327-3430
    • 236 W Main St, Rock Hill, SC 29730
  • Cooperative Ministry offers Homeless Financial Assistance Programs, Energy Assistance, and more.
    • Phone 803-799-3853
    • 3821 W Beltline, Columbia, SC 29204
  • Columbia Housing Authority Programs available here include: section 8 housing vouchers, low income/subsidized rental housing, subsidized home purchase loans, and First Time Buying Programs.
    • Phone 803-254-3886
    • 1917 Harden Street, Columbia, SC 29204
  • South Carolina Association of Community Action is the main location of this statewide non-profit and they work with other organizations in the region. They have information on, and can provide referrals for, government programs, shelter, rental programs, and more. The location offers a wide variety of community and social services for the low income, elderly, and seniors.
    • Phone 803-771-9404
    • 2700 Middleburg Drive, Suite 213, Columbia, SC 29204
  • Wateree Community Action Council In addition to housing, rent, and homeless prevention, they also have job services and career counseling. A leading non-profit for homeless prevention and rapid rehousing, whether federal grants from ESG for rent or storage costs or other housing support.
    • Phone 803-786-4250, extension 3220
    • Phone 803-353-3822, extension 100
    • 117 Henry Street, Eastover, SC 29044
  • The Aiken/Barnwell Counties Community Action Agency, Inc. (ABCCAA) is a people-oriented, non-profit, community-based organization that has assisted the people within its service areas since 1966. The main purpose of our Agency is to help improve the lives of people in need, as well as addressing a variety of community concerns to include homelessness and rent assistance programs.
    • Phone 803-794-6778
    • www.abccaa.org
    • 650 Knox Abbott Drive, Suite B, Cayce, SC 29033
  • Richland County United Way They only offer referrals and information for local assistance programs based on your needs.
    • Phone 803-733-7312
  • God’s Storehouse They can provide food and clothing assistance. Applicants need to live in the their required Richland County zip codes.
    • Phone 803-691-1622
    • 1731 Risley Rd, Columbia, SC 29223
  • Faith Truth & Hope Ministry They’ve made it their mission to ensure the lives of families in crisis. Their programs will enable clients to have access to computers, a living space, transportation and many more opportunities, to become self-sufficient.
    • Phone 803-309-5980
    • 2463 Bratton Street, Columbia, SC 29205
  • American Red Cross, Central SC Chapter From small house fires to multi-state natural disasters, the American Red Cross goes wherever we’re needed, so people can have clean water, safe shelter and hot meals when they need them most.
    • Phone 803-540-1200
    • 2751 Bull Street, Columbia, SC 29201
  • Alston Wilkes Society is a multistate nonprofit organization that provides those most at risk with hope for a brighter future.  AWS gives hope and rebuilds lives through rehabilitative and prevention services.  The agency was founded in 1962 as a nonprofit organization led by a group of dedicated volunteers working under the direction of the Reverend Eli Alston Wilkes, Jr. Rev. Wilkes was a Methodist minister who labored as a tireless and devoted worker in helping those less fortunate. Today, the Alston Wilkes Society is providing direct services in North and South Carolina to not only offenders, but also the homeless, at-risk youth, veterans, and families in crisis.
    • Phone 803-799-2490
    • Fax 803-540-7223
    • Email info@aws1962.org
    • Corporate Office is located at 3519 Medical Drive, Columbia, SC 29203-6504

You are welcome to call our office or email for more assistance on how to start the application process for rent assistance. Please remember that it is your responsibility to actively look for help and update us constantly on the status of help and what you or an organization require from us. Looking for assistance does not absolve you of your current responsibility to pay rent nor does it allow you to avoid non-renewals and/or eviction proceedings.

Here are some resources for applying for rental assistance.

We are here to help you!

Residents needing rental and mortgage assistance can now apply for help from SC Stay! They have over $25 million dollar’s in grant funds:  scstay.org

  • Richland County Only – Emergency Rental Assistance Program (ERAP) The U.S. Department of Treasury awarded Richland County Government $12.5 million to help local households unable to pay rent and utilities because of the COVID-19 pandemic. The funding was made available through the Emergency Rental Assistance program (ERAP), enacted in December 2020. Through Emergency Rental Assistance 2 (ERA2), a similar federal program enacted in March 2021, the County received another $9.9 million to continue supporting renters at risk of eviction.
    • Phone 803-576-1513 or 855-216-9198
    • https://portal.neighborlysoftware.com/erap-richlandcountysc/Participant
  • The Columbia Salvation Army is always one of the first places you should call for emergency financial assistance, shelter, and other support. They can offer financial assistance to low income individuals and families who are dealing with financial struggles. Volunteers or case workers can work with people to also ensure a solution is found over the long term to their housing crisis.
    • Phone 803-765-0260
    • 2025 Main Street, Columbia, SC 29201
  • God’s Helping Hands may offer services for qualified residents in Cayce and West Columbia. They offer rental assistance, lodging, utility help, and more. A DSS referral is required for return visits to this non-profit.
    • Phone 803-791-4167
    • 919 Holland Avenue, Cayce, SC 29033
  • Family Services Center, Inc. offers multiple programs and will require consultation via phone to see if they are able to assist you
    • Phone 803-733-5450
    • 1800 Main Street, Columbia, SC 29201
  • Catholic Charities of the Midlands is a faith based agency that helps the homeless, single mothers, veterans, and others. Rent, food, furniture for a new home or apartment, and other financial aid may be offered.
    • Phone 803-254-9776
    • 1427 Pickens St, Columbia, SC 29201
  • Christian Assistance Bridge Applicants for rent or housing assistance need to have a Social Security card, meet income limits and picture I.D.. Any type of help is limited whether shelter, utilities, moving assistance,or loans for rent.
    • Phone 803-786-1903
    • 126 Blythewood Road, Blythewood, SC 29016
  • The Society of St. Vincent de Paul Financial assistance for paying rent and housing can be applied for over the phone. Funds are very limited and can help prevent evictions. In some cases a forgivable loan may be issued for housing or rental assistance. You may receive a message indicating the availability of funds.
    • Phone 803-799-0761
      • Thursdays from 5:00 – 6: 00 PM
  • Rapid Rehousing and Eviction Prevention Services using federal grants to help tenants in Richland County. Funds may be used to provide motel vouchers, pay back rent, or security deposits. The homeless prevention programs also combines legal aid and case management, along with emergency rental assistance, to help working poor families.
    • Phone 202-708-1112
    • HUD.GOV/RECOVERY
  • Pilgrim’s Inn offers emergency rental assistance, including loans, as part of the Homeless Prevention and Re-Housing Program. Other programs include transitional or low income housing, utility bill assistance, motel vouchers, and one time grants for back rent.
    • Phone 803-327-3430
    • 236 W Main St, Rock Hill, SC 29730
  • Cooperative Ministry offers Homeless Financial Assistance Programs, Energy Assistance, and more.
    • Phone 803-799-3853
    • 3821 W Beltline, Columbia, SC 29204
  • Columbia Housing Authority Programs available here include: section 8 housing vouchers, low income/subsidized rental housing, subsidized home purchase loans, and First Time Buying Programs.
    • Phone 803-254-3886
    • 1917 Harden Street, Columbia, SC 29204
  • South Carolina Association of Community Action is the main location of this statewide non-profit and they work with other organizations in the region. They have information on, and can provide referrals for, government programs, shelter, rental programs, and more. The location offers a wide variety of community and social services for the low income, elderly, and seniors.
    • Phone 803-771-9404
    • 2700 Middleburg Drive, Suite 213, Columbia, SC 29204
  • Wateree Community Action Council In addition to housing, rent, and homeless prevention, they also have job services and career counseling. A leading non-profit for homeless prevention and rapid rehousing, whether federal grants from ESG for rent or storage costs or other housing support.
    • Phone 803-786-4250, extension 3220
    • Phone 803-353-3822, extension 100
    • 117 Henry Street, Eastover, SC 29044
  • The Aiken/Barnwell Counties Community Action Agency, Inc. (ABCCAA) is a people-oriented, non-profit, community-based organization that has assisted the people within its service areas since 1966. The main purpose of our Agency is to help improve the lives of people in need, as well as addressing a variety of community concerns to include homelessness and rent assistance programs.
    • Phone 803-794-6778
    • www.abccaa.org
    • 650 Knox Abbott Drive, Suite B, Cayce, SC 29033
  • Richland County United Way They only offer referrals and information for local assistance programs based on your needs.
    • Phone 803-733-7312
  • God’s Storehouse They can provide food and clothing assistance. Applicants need to live in the their required Richland County zip codes.
    • Phone 803-691-1622
    • 1731 Risley Rd, Columbia, SC 29223
  • Faith Truth & Hope Ministry They’ve made it their mission to ensure the lives of families in crisis. Their programs will enable clients to have access to computers, a living space, transportation and many more opportunities, to become self-sufficient.
    • Phone 803-309-5980
    • 2463 Bratton Street, Columbia, SC 29205
  • American Red Cross, Central SC Chapter From small house fires to multi-state natural disasters, the American Red Cross goes wherever we’re needed, so people can have clean water, safe shelter and hot meals when they need them most.
    • Phone 803-540-1200
    • 2751 Bull Street, Columbia, SC 29201
  • Alston Wilkes Society is a multistate nonprofit organization that provides those most at risk with hope for a brighter future.  AWS gives hope and rebuilds lives through rehabilitative and prevention services.  The agency was founded in 1962 as a nonprofit organization led by a group of dedicated volunteers working under the direction of the Reverend Eli Alston Wilkes, Jr. Rev. Wilkes was a Methodist minister who labored as a tireless and devoted worker in helping those less fortunate. Today, the Alston Wilkes Society is providing direct services in North and South Carolina to not only offenders, but also the homeless, at-risk youth, veterans, and families in crisis.
    • Phone 803-799-2490
    • Fax 803-540-7223
    • Email info@aws1962.org
    • Corporate Office is located at 3519 Medical Drive, Columbia, SC 29203-6504

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